“All we’re saying is June isn’t some plaything.You know it, and so do we,” Jagger repeats.He checks his phone again and sighs.“I gotta shower.We’ll talk more later.For now, keep up the good work.And if you decide not to be a dick, then I’m happy for you.She’s a good one.”
Yeah.She really is.That’s the problem, isn’t it?
One by one, they leave me alone in the gym, and I hang my head.
What the fuck am I supposed to do?
32
JUNE
Why?Why does math hate me so much?I stare at my laptop screen and the big, fat seventy-two-percent score staring back at me from my last test.It isn’t a terrible score, but it definitely isn’t going to get me an A.I should’ve just bit the bullet and looked while I was at work.Instead, I spent my entire shift on pins and needles, determined to wait until I got home before being disappointed.And now, here I am.At home.And disappointed.
It doesn’t help that I haven’t heard from a certain someone for a solid five days.Not that I’m entirely surprised.I figured he’d keep his distance to prove whatever happened between us was physical and only physical.Joke’s on him.I am well aware of where he stands.Besides, it’s not like I didn’t know that when I broke up with Bryan for the guy.Maybe one day he’ll stop being so afraid of commitment or actually letting someone in but, until then, Ford and I are nothing but two people who hang out in the same social circles and may or may not have made each other come.
Oh, jeez.
“We’re home!”someone calls from the front door.It’s Violet.I’d recognize her voice anywhere.Closing my laptop, I shove it under my pillow.I don’t know why.It’s not like I have something to hide or that Violet even cares about my grades, but I can’t help it.I hate math.
“I’m in here!”I yell, praying she can’t hear the defeat in my tone.“And who’s we?”
A pair of footsteps echoes down the short hall before Violet appears in the doorway.“Hey.”
“Hey, Vi?—”
Lexie appears behind her, acting like a surprise guest on a reality TV show as she peeks through the bedroom doorway.“Why hello, gorgeous!”
I jump to my feet.“Lexie!”I haven’t seen Lexie since last weekend.Even her texts have been sporadic at best.Honestly, I have a feeling her brother scans her messages, which is why I haven’t pushed it, but seeing her in the flesh?It’s as good as Christmas.Rushing toward her, I pull Lexie into a hug.“How are you?I’ve missed you.”
“Yeah, I’ve been busy,” Lexie returns.“How was work?”
“Good,” I answer while refusing to acknowledge the proverbial elephant tucked under my pillow.“The usual.How long are you here for?”
“Not long.We just stopped by so we could kidnap you.”
My brows raise.“Kidnap me?”
“Yup, so hurry up and change into something sexy and sassy.If I’m late for my shift, my boss will kill me.”
Okay, it’s official.I’m missing something.Or…multiple somethings.“What are you talking about?”I ask.
With a smile, Lexie announces, “You and Violet are coming to work with me.”
I frown.“Work?As in, The Body Shop?As in, Drift territory?”
I was all for the kidnapping part until she mentioned work.It’s not that I don’t approve of Lexie’s job, but between her crappy brother and Jagger’s direct order to Violet about staying away from The Drift without supervision, I’m a little hesitant to rush over and hang out at a strip club.Add in the fact that Violet and I work relatively normal hours compared to Lexie’s nightshift schedule, and I feel like we’re more like passing ships than actual friends.Now, she wants us to come hang out while she’s working?
“I know Lexie has been working a lot lately,” Violet grumbles.Clearly, she’s as displeased as I am with our flip-flopped routines.
“Which is why you’re coming with me,” Lexie says.
My frown deepens.Maybe it’s the below-average grade from my last math assignment still consuming my thoughts, but I’m confused.
“I’m supposed to give Lexie a ride to work,” Violet explains, reading my mind yet again.“She’s been twisting my arm all afternoon, asking if I’d come hang out during her shift.”
“And,” Lexie continues, “now that we know you’re actually home from work and not hooking up with Ford?—”
I toss my hands in the air.“Violet!”It’s not that I expected her to keep my little rendezvous with Ford last weekend a secret from Lexie, it’s just…okay, I really shouldn’t be surprised, should I?
